London schools gain access to the Guardian and Observer digital archive

Secondary schools across London now have unlimited access to The Guardian & Observer Digital Archive, which stores digital copies of both newspapers all the way back to 1791. Guardian News & Media (GNM) has secured a unique deal with the London Grid for Learning (LGfL), which will allow teachers and pupils in over 400 schools across the capital to securely access the archive in school and at home.

The Digital Archive is a unique resource which consists of over a million pages of Guardian & Observer content including all articles, photos, cartoons and advertisements dating back more than 200 years.

Lucy Haire, Head of the Guardian & Observer Digital Archive, said: "Searching through our vast archive provides an excellent opportunity for children to refine their skills in analysing and interpreting evidence, as well as developing their literacy. The archive also helps young people to develop a sense of perspective and decipher what's changed and what's stayed the same in society."

Bob Usher, LGfL's content manager, said: "LGfL is delighted to have acquired a perpetual licence to The Guardian & Observer Digital Archive. It is a unique resource, which has great potential to enhance teaching and learning across a range of subjects, giving topics context and depth, and allowing students to develop their research and analytical skills as they explore the newspapers."

Notes to editors:

The Digital Archive preserves and protects over 200 years of Guardian and Observer newspapers and makes them available to the public via easy-to-use online searching at www.theguardian.com/archive.

Searching the archive is free of charge but if you want to view in full or print out material, you will need to subscribe. Special long-term licences are available to schools, colleges, libraries and corporate organisations. The archive is currently accessed by around 2,200 schools across the UK. For further information please contact lucy.haire@theguardian.com

The London Grid for Learning is a Consortium of all London Local Authorities, working together to put in place online resources and services for schools which exceed (in terms of quality, scope and value for money) what can be achieved by working individually. Find out more from www.lgfl.net.